Midkine (MDK) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: More than a Biomarker
Midkine (MDK) is a multifunctional secreted protein that can act as a cytokine or growth factor regulating multiple signaling pathways and being implicated in fundamental cellular processes, such as survival, proliferation, and migration. Although its expression in normal adult tissues is barely det...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-01-01
|
| Series: | Cells |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/2/136 |
| _version_ | 1797339949531398144 |
|---|---|
| author | Christiana Christou Andreas Stylianou Vasiliki Gkretsi |
| author_facet | Christiana Christou Andreas Stylianou Vasiliki Gkretsi |
| author_sort | Christiana Christou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Midkine (MDK) is a multifunctional secreted protein that can act as a cytokine or growth factor regulating multiple signaling pathways and being implicated in fundamental cellular processes, such as survival, proliferation, and migration. Although its expression in normal adult tissues is barely detectable, MDK serum levels are found to be elevated in several types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we summarize the findings of recent studies on the role of MDK in HCC diagnosis and progression. Overall, studies show that MDK is a powerful biomarker for HCC early diagnosis, as it can differentiate not only between HCC patients and normal individuals but also between HCC patients and patients with other liver pathologies. It is correlated with high recurrence rates and was shown to be valuable for the diagnosis of early-stage HCC, even in patients negative for α-fetoprotein (AFP), the most commonly used biomarker for HCC diagnosis. A comparison with AFP reveals that MDK is inferior to AFP with regard to specificity but significantly superior with regard to sensitivity, which further indicates the need for using both biomarkers for more effective HCC diagnosis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:55:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8c914ae9b6874b26949725ce7635003a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:55:57Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cells |
| spelling | doaj.art-8c914ae9b6874b26949725ce7635003a2024-01-29T13:50:17ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092024-01-0113213610.3390/cells13020136Midkine (MDK) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: More than a BiomarkerChristiana Christou0Andreas Stylianou1Vasiliki Gkretsi2Cancer Metastasis and Adhesion Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center (BTCRC), European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, CyprusEuropean University Cyprus Research Centre Ltd., Nicosia 2404, CyprusCancer Metastasis and Adhesion Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center (BTCRC), European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, CyprusMidkine (MDK) is a multifunctional secreted protein that can act as a cytokine or growth factor regulating multiple signaling pathways and being implicated in fundamental cellular processes, such as survival, proliferation, and migration. Although its expression in normal adult tissues is barely detectable, MDK serum levels are found to be elevated in several types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we summarize the findings of recent studies on the role of MDK in HCC diagnosis and progression. Overall, studies show that MDK is a powerful biomarker for HCC early diagnosis, as it can differentiate not only between HCC patients and normal individuals but also between HCC patients and patients with other liver pathologies. It is correlated with high recurrence rates and was shown to be valuable for the diagnosis of early-stage HCC, even in patients negative for α-fetoprotein (AFP), the most commonly used biomarker for HCC diagnosis. A comparison with AFP reveals that MDK is inferior to AFP with regard to specificity but significantly superior with regard to sensitivity, which further indicates the need for using both biomarkers for more effective HCC diagnosis.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/2/136metastasisEMTAFPliver cancerNEGF-2 |
| spellingShingle | Christiana Christou Andreas Stylianou Vasiliki Gkretsi Midkine (MDK) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: More than a Biomarker Cells metastasis EMT AFP liver cancer NEGF-2 |
| title | Midkine (MDK) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: More than a Biomarker |
| title_full | Midkine (MDK) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: More than a Biomarker |
| title_fullStr | Midkine (MDK) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: More than a Biomarker |
| title_full_unstemmed | Midkine (MDK) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: More than a Biomarker |
| title_short | Midkine (MDK) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: More than a Biomarker |
| title_sort | midkine mdk in hepatocellular carcinoma more than a biomarker |
| topic | metastasis EMT AFP liver cancer NEGF-2 |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/2/136 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT christianachristou midkinemdkinhepatocellularcarcinomamorethanabiomarker AT andreasstylianou midkinemdkinhepatocellularcarcinomamorethanabiomarker AT vasilikigkretsi midkinemdkinhepatocellularcarcinomamorethanabiomarker |